The Council of Justice · Chapter
An Incident in the Fight explained
The Woman of Gratz becomes the leader of the Red Hundred after Starque's death, and the Four Just Men (Council of Justice) wage a secret war against them.
What happens
The Woman of Gratz becomes the leader of the Red Hundred after Starque's death, and the Four Just Men (Council of Justice) wage a secret war against them. The police struggle to keep up, and the Prince of the Escorial is targeted for assassination. The Four Just Men secretly rescue the prince, substituting an anarchist assassin in his place, and the prince escapes to the Continent. The assassin is killed by his own comrade, and the prince later marries, bringing relief to European royalty.
Themes in this chapter
Vigilante Justice vs. Legal System
The Four Just Men operate outside the law to thwart anarchist plots, while the police reluctantly rely on their information.
Anarchism and Political Terrorism
The Red Hundred, led by the Woman of Gratz, wages a terror campaign in London, including assassination attempts.
Failure of the Legal System
The police and Home Secretary admit they are helpless without the Four Just Men, highlighting the legal system's inadequacy.
Public Opinion and Media Influence
The prince's indifference to public opinion is noted, and the media's role in spreading news of the terror is implied.
Characters to notice
- The Woman of Gratz
Becomes the leader of the Red Hundred after Starque's death, reorganizing forces and declaring war on England.
- George Manfred
Implied as a leader of the Four Just Men, orchestrating the rescue of the Prince of the Escorial.
- Leon Gonsalez
Implied as one of the Four Just Men involved in the rescue at the Auditorium.
- Poiccart
Implied as one of the Four Just Men involved in the rescue at the Auditorium.
- Carlos Ferdinand Bourbon
Prince of the Escorial, targeted by anarchists but rescued by the Four Just Men; later marries.
- Superintendent Falmouth
Police superintendent overseeing security at the Auditorium, discovers the dead anarchist in the prince's box.
- M. Menshikoff
Identifies the dead anarchist as Antonio Selleni.
- Rudulph Starque
Mentioned as deceased, his death led to the Woman of Gratz taking leadership.
Key passages
“From what secret place in the metropolis the Woman of Gratz reorganized her forces we shall never know; whence came her strength of purpose and her unbounded energy we can guess.”
The Woman of Gratz's base of operations remains unknown, but her determination and energy are evident as she rebuilds the Red Hundred.
Highlights the mysterious and formidable nature of the new anarchist leader.
“The police were almost helpless. The fight against the Red Hundred was carried on, almost single-handedly, by the Four Just Men.”
The police could do little; the Four Just Men were the primary force opposing the Red Hundred.
Emphasizes the vigilante role of the Four Just Men and the failure of official law enforcement.
“His Highness! ... Why, the Prince left Charing Cross for the Continent half an hour ago!”
The prince had already escaped to the Continent, leaving the anarchist assassin dead in his place.
Reveals the successful deception and rescue orchestrated by the Four Just Men.
